Rajiv Gandhi’s 26th Death Anniversary Observed as Shaheed Diwas

Ranchi: The Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday observed the 26th death anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi as Shaheed Diwas (Martyrdom Day) at the state Congress headquarters in Ranchi. Party members also commemorated the day as Urja Diwas (Energy Day), recognizing Gandhi’s contributions to India’s progress and modernization.

Leaders and party workers paid heartfelt tributes to Rajiv Gandhi, describing him as a visionary leader who laid the foundation of a modern and technologically advanced India. They remembered his unwavering dedication to national unity, peace, and his dream of an inclusive and united India. His sacrifice, they said, would remain etched in the memory of the nation.

Speakers emphasized Rajiv Gandhi’s special concern for Jharkhand and its people. They recalled his visits to Gumla, Simdega, and Khunti, where he stressed that the development of tribal and marginalized communities could only be ensured through the creation of a separate Jharkhand state.

During his tenure as Prime Minister, Gandhi gave special attention to Jharkhand’s inclusion in national development plans. His vision of Panchayati Raj—empowering local self-governments—was highlighted as a transformative idea that remains incomplete in Jharkhand, and needs to be realized fully.

The speakers further praised his efforts to decentralize governance and empower grassroots-level elected representatives, emphasizing that rural transformation could only come through strong local institutions.

Rajiv Gandhi was also hailed as the architect of India’s IT revolution, credited with initiating the country’s transition into the computer age and preparing it for the 21st century.

Floral tributes were paid by several senior leaders and workers, including Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Anukul Mishra, Rakesh Sinha, Satish Paul Munjni, Amulya Neeraj Khalko, Sonal Shanti, Gajendra Singh, Jagdish Sahu, Khurshid Hasan Roomi, Rajan Verma, Suryakant Shukla, Akhtar Ali, Hussain Khan, Ajay Singh, Jitendra Trivedi, Md. Safar, Raju Ram, Tribhuvan, Prabhat Kumar, Raju Verma, Rakhi Kaur, Chandra Rashmi Pingua, Anwar Hussain, Usha Khalkho, and Riya Tulika, among others.